Pak-India trade now on Sundays too

CHANDIGARH - In an attempt to further boost bilateral trade, Pakistan and India have agreed to allow traders to use big capacity trucks and to undertake import and export even on Sundays at the Attari-Wagah land route.

The decision was taken by the Lahore Customs Department and Indian Customs Liaison Border Committee (CLBC) comprising senior custom officials of Amritsar Customs department, at a meeting held this week in Pakistan.

"It has now been decided that traders of both the countries-India and Pakistan can send their goods in any capacity of trucks. It means that now there is no bar on using trucks of big capacity," Customs (Amritsar), Additional Commissioner, Sunil Katiyar told PTI over phone.

Earlier, there had been little clarity on the capacity of trucks that could be used for trade between the two nations via Attari-Wagah land route.

This move will facilitate import of cement and gypsum from Pakistan and export of vegetables, soybean extraction and other commodities from India in big quantities, traders said. "It is a welcome move which will further provide impetus to trading activity at the land route," said Amritsar based trader Anil Mehra. Currently, Indian traders are using less capacity trucks that can carry items up to 20-30 tonnes. In an another move, customs officials of both countries have also agreed to open trade on Sunday at their respective Integrated Check Posts.